Ironing-machine



\ 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. L. HALL. l

(Noi Modell) IRDNING MACHINE.

No. 258,229. Patented May 2s 1282.

N. PETERS FhuwLnhognpMr. washington IJ. C.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. L. HALL.V IRONING MACHINE. l

No. 258,229. Patente-d May 28, 1882.

JUIJUU UUUUUU ILlllll` N, PETERS. Phum-Lnnngmplwr, wnsmngcon. D. c.

UNITEDVA STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. HALL, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

lRONlNG-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,229, dated May 23,11882.

Application filed November 25, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern t Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. HALL, acitizen of the United States, residing at the city ot' Troy, in thecounty of Rensselaer and State ot' New York, haveinvented certain newand usefullmprovements in Ironing-Machines, of which the followingis aspecification, reference Vbeing had therein to the accompanyingdrawings.

This invention relates to that class of ironing machinery adapted foruse in laundries where large quantities of goods are operated upon andfinished by ironing, and where rapidity of execution is an essentialfeature, also relating more particularly to machines ot' this class bymeans ot' which shirt-hosoms may be thus finished or polished,saidiuveution consistiu g in areciprocatingreversiblciron, heated by gasor its equivalent, the main portion or` body of which may becylindrical, hung upon trunnioris in sliding boxes or guides travelingthrough ways, and having two independentlyoperatin g ironing-pointsproject-ing therefrom', each lia-ving one or more polishing surfaces,

and each of which points may4 he alternately used for ironing and healternately-heated or reheated during the intervals while not so used.

The invention also consists iu the arrangement ofdeviccs for regulatingand controlling,` the movements and pressure of iron and combustionwithin same, and also consists in devices for receiving and retainingthe goods; in proper position while being operated upon, and forfacilitating thc insertion and removali of same, all as hereinaftermorefully described,

my object heilig to increase the efficiency ot' machines of class beforementioned, having under consideration a greater rapidity' of exe-`cutionand a better and moreartistic style of finish. v In theaccompanying drawings, consisting of three separate sheets, Figure 1,Sheet No. 1, is

a longitudinal side elevation of my improved,

Fig. 2, Sheet machine, partly broken away.

No. 2, isa plan or top View; and Figs. 3,4, 5, and 6, Sheet No. 3, arerespectively a front or end elevation, partly in section, and enlargedsectional or detail views.

Similar letters of reference in either view on i either sheet indicatecorresponding parts.

A A represent longitudinal and transverseportions of a suitableframe-work for supporting the operative parts ot' machine mountedthereon, as shown and further explained.

B represents the iron, preferably of cast metal, the same being hollowto receive the heatingapparatus, and havingcylindrieal body b', Vwithtwo wedge-shaped cam-like ironingpoints, b, also hollow, projecting fromperiphery ofsame, centrally longitudinally, but on opposite sidesvertically, and in opposite directions transversely, the reversed levelsurfaces ot said points forming triangulated planes parallel to eachother, the base or broadest part of same being where connection isformed with body, and the same being separated vertically the exactdiameter of said body, all of which may be more clearly understood byreference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, Sheet No. 3.

By O C are represented hollow spindles, f1tted into and secured to endsof cylindrical body, and also fitted at outer extremities withtrunu-ions, so as to be socketed in, supported by, and revolve freely inflanged slides or guides D D', fitted to travel between horizontalparallel bars or ways E Ef, hung outwardly upon each section oflongitudinal frame-work, with vertical rods F fitted to slide freelythrough stationary guides or boxes G, secured to said sections, the rodsbeing provided hetween boxes with suitahle springs, H, and adjustablecollars f, or their equivalent. sliding guides D D are extendedoutwardly, so as to form wrist-pins, upon which are hung adjustableconnecting-rods I, having connection through crank-pins i withcrank-wheels J, and 'also adjustable thereon, said wheels The i heiligkeyed to cross-shaft K, hung in suitable or teeth, which engage in therear with'pawl` d, pivoted upon guide D', and in front with hooked pawla', pivoted to elbowcd lever N, hung upon sleeve, which lever is formedwith a yoke straddling and hinged to a slide iitted to travel freelyuponhorizontal rod O,'haviug` connection at each end, respectively, withshort parallel levers or links o o, the length IOO of same being equal,pivoted to standards secured to ways E', the link o working loosely upona iiXed pivot, but the link obeing keyed fast to a pivot fitted torotate in its standard, and extended outwardly to receive springleverl?, also keyed to same. The spindle Gis formed with spur-wheel c, alsohaving preferably eight projections or teeth, which engage with groovesq and adjustable frogv q" of switch-plate Q, horizontally secured to thelower bar of ways E. The trunnions ot' spindles C C are so arranged inrelation to their sockets in guides D D as to allow a slight transversemovement of former in latter when shifted by switch.

Through the wrist-pin of either guide D or D may be inserted thenecessary pipes for conveyinggas and air to the interior of hollow ironB, the same vbeing connected by suitable lixtures secured outwardly' towrist-pin, said lixtures being furnished with stop-cocks and also withthe usual flexible tubing, by means of which connection is made with thesource ot' supplyin the ordinary manner, said gas and air pipesextending inwardly through interior of spindle (on the side attached) toor about the center of iron-body-pret'erabl y a short distance beyondthe centerand consisting of main pipes or stem c, with one or more setsof branch pipes, g', radiating therefrom centrally through interior ot'each ironing-point b aforesaid, the branches being connected withswivel-joint g, fitted to rotate upon main stem,

and so arranged with valve therein that when swivel is partially rotated(the stem remaining stationary) the passage for gas and air will beclosed to pipes on one side and opened to pipes on the other,'and thatwith each partial rotation the branches on either side are alternatelythrown in and out ot' communication. The pipes composing both stem andbranches may be perforated ill the usual manner to iusure the properminglingand combustion of gas and air; also, openings may be provided togive proper vent, preferably through extremities of ironing-points andthrough the wristpin not occupied by pipes and ixtures.

The bottom plates ot'ironin g-poin ts b may be formed with one or moreapertures to receive a corresponding number ot' supplementary iangedplates mounted oil studsorpinsliassing through bosses or sockets inopposite or upper shell, that engage with a suitable spring or springsarranged upon exterior, the tendency ot' which springs is,th roughagency ofpins,to press said supplementary plates outwardly fromapertures and below general surface of bottom plates7 each of the saineserving as an independent polishing-surface. rlhc construction of theseparts may be seen by reference to Figs. 4 and 6.

By R is represented a treadle, constructed preferably with curved sidebars and foot-plate, as shown, said side bars being keyed fast tocross-shaft S, hung in suitable bearings to lowerpart of frame, thetrcadle having connection on each side, respectively, with ways E and Eby means of rods i", which are pivoted at one end to said side bars, theother ends of same being hooked into eyebolts beneath ways. By T isrepresented the ironing-table, which may be composed of either wood ormetal,prcf erabl y wood, and may consist of the transverse bot-tomboards, t', forming bed, upon which the usual imparchment may be laid toreceive the shirt or bosom board U, the side boards, t2, the head-railor transverse bar t3, and the parallel longitudinal rails or bars t4, towhich the bottom boards are secured, all as shown. Said rails t4 areIextended in the rear beyond table, and there pivoted or hung upontransverse rock-shaft V, to which are keyed, outside of rails, one armeach of twin parallel sets of toggle-joint levers W lV, hung upon andalso keyed fast to aforesaid cross-shaft S beneath. X represents aroller, that may be of wood covered with imparchment, hun g transverselybetween arms w', likewise keyed to the rockshat't V. The forward cnd oftable may he hung upon short parallel links-Y, pivoted at upper ends torod or bolt a, passing transversely through rails t4 beneath table, andat lower ends to lugs or ears c, attached to the forward section ot' thetransverse frame-work A aforesaid.

rlhe shirt-board U may be ot'wood, covered with imparchment on top andbottom, and provided with side rods, u', formed of spring-wires coiledat each end, and suitably attached to board, and with bowed clamp-rodto, hinged or linked to one side rod and titted with ring or eye to hookon the other and to enter correspondingly-shaped recess or groovel'ormed to receive it in edge ot board, on end of same, where tail ofshirt is to be fastened, the opposite end ot' board heilig formed to titinto shoulders or yoke, also hollowed out to receive ncckband ot' shirt,and there furnished with a central peg or steady-pin tted to enteraV-shaped notch or socket provided for its reception in rear of table,which may either be formed directly on inner upper edge or corner ofhead-rail t, .or upon a suitable block centrally attached to same, asshown, the latter being preferable.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: The currents of gasand air being admitted by opening the stop-cocks, the same being ignitedwithin the interior ot' iron, and power being transmitted throughmedi-um ot' the driving belt and pulley aforesaid, the machine maybe sctin motion and said iron caused to reciprocate in unison with guides,between parallel ways, in consequence of the connection ot'iron withguides, the guides with crankwheels, and the crank-wheels with driving-pulley, as hereinbefore described, the tiexibility ot' tubingconnecting said gas and air pipes with source ot' supply allowing apendulous vibration of same during this reciprocatory movement. rlheshirt may then be prepared for ironing by stretching the same, as usual,over the shirt-board, the lower or rear flap of tail being drawn tightlyand folded vupwardly over edges of same, the upper or front flap beingIOO IOS

Vas

folded similarly downward and over rear flap,

when the`clamp-rod,which should be left free while folding the aps, maybe sprung over the same into the recess and hooked in the eye aforesaid,the effect being to draw the yielding muslin more tightly over theedges, and also into recess, thereby still further stretching the shirtlengthwise upon board, the side rods con` forming themselves to shape ofshirt-body and exerting sufficient pressure within to properly tightenor stretch the same crosswise upon said board, the side rods also havingprojection through slits between flaps, at extremities where connected'with clamp-rod, so as to allow free operation of the latter whileplacing shirt in position. The board, having shirt thus arranged thereon, maythen be placed upon table, with either front or back ot' same upward,preferably the back first, the steady-piu entering socket aforesaid, soas to bring shirt centrally beneath ironing-point, which is importantwhen bosom is uppermost, the spread of points being only about equal tothe width of bosom ofVlargest-sized shirt. By then depress` ing thetreadle through connection ofthe various parts before explained thetoggle levers and links to which table is hung may be caused to assume avertical and said table a horizontal position, the ways at same timebeing depressed, and iron in consequence brought down to the level thenoccupied by shirt-board, the llolishing-surface ot' one ironing-pointbeing in contact therewith, the former position ofthese parts beingshown by the skeleton dotted outlines in Fig. 1. The iron may be thenallowed to pass over shirt during one or more partial or `entirerevolutions of the crank-wheels, as required to give the necessaryfinish, when, by releasing the treadle, the parts mentioned may bereturned by action ofsprings to the said former position, so t-hatwithout stopping the machine the shirt-board may be reversed upon tableto allow the opposite portion of shirt to be ironed, or said boardremoved to be replaced by another, when the treadle may be againdepressed to repeat the process. The treadle may be also provided with asuitable spring to assist in elevating the same, it found necessary.

To expeditiously operatethe machine, a number of boards should beprovided and assistants employed to arrange the shirts thereon and toremove them-from same after being ironed, to bein regular rotationreplaced by others, so that the attendant in charge may continuously besupplied with prepared boards,

audxeau rapidly and successively manipulate the same. Various-sizedboards may be used to accommodate different-sized shirts, and the strokeof iron may likewise be regulated to suit same by the adjustment ofconnecting` rods I. lThe crank-pins should also be correspondingl yadjusted upon crauk-wheels,so that' the iron may always return to thesame point' ou rear stroke. How to effect these adjustments may be seenby reference to Fig. l. When `found necessary, probably each time theboards are exchanged, the iron may be reates the same, causing the pawlthereon torotate 4 the ratchet-wheel, and consequent-ly the iron, aboutone-eighth turn, `the change being effected while the table is down, theways elevated, and the machine at extremelimit of rear stroke, so thatthe ironing-pointjust previously above table may dip behind and belowsame as then situated, and behind aforesaid roller, also then elevated;and on the return or forward stroke the upper surface of cam-like pointmay engage with roller, which in its passage over same nearly completesthe required semi-rotation of iron, leaving the polishing-surface ofopposite ironingpoint at a slight angle above the horizontal, whichangle is increased between same and upper surface or bed of table by thedownward and forward pitch of latter while in said situation, thusfacilitating the manipulation of shirt-boards thereon, as beforedescribed, this variation being also shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1,those showing iron and corresponding connections having specialAreference to said movement. The iron may be entirely reversed and thealternate polishingsurface brought to bear, when the differentcooperative parts have been returned to the p proper position forironing, by again depressing the lever previously used, released, andelevated by spring, the pawl upon elbowed lever having obtained afreshgrip upon ratchet, the same parts being again actuated with similar anddesired result, after accomplishing which the lever should be released,as before, the rear pawl upon guide checking any tendency of the iron torotate in contrary direction. If found necessary to give ironing-point agreater pressure at extremity to obtain a better finish in polishingtherewith, this may also be effected through agency of said lever, theadvantage of this arrangement ot the reversin g-lever in connection withhorizontal rod, and elbowed lever with slide traveling thereon, beingthat the operation of saine in relation'to iron is not interfered withby its reciprocating movements, and that by the rst-mentioned leverremaining stationary the handling of same is rendered much moreconvenient. Durin geach semi-rotation of iron, the branch pipes beingthereby coincidentally rotated upon main stem through agency of valve inswivel-joint, the combustion is commenced iu point previously used anddiscontinued in point substituted, the ignition in one taking placejustbefore the entire extinguishing in other, so that each point may in turnbe heated While not employed in ironing, as before alludedto IOS herein.The object ofthe wedge-shaped form ot' said points is, in the forwardpassage of iron over shirt,V the ironing process commencing from rear oftable to bear upon the center of the bosom first, to better smooth downthe wrinkles by pressing them outwardly at an angle therewith,thecylindricalbody also smoothing portions of shirt outside of bosom notreached by points.

- area of each produce a better nish; but this arrangement is notabsolutely essential, and may be dispensed with, a singlepolishing-surface for each point being ordinarily sufficient.

Through agency of switch-plate and spurwheel engaging therewith, theiron may be slightly shifted transversely at each end of stroke, so thatthe same will recede on a dif ferent line from that on which itadvanced, thus more evenly distributing the effect; but this arrangementalso is not essential, and may likewise be dispensed with. Pegs,set-screws, clamps, or any other suitable device nia-y be used inconnection with table, it' necessary, to prevent shirt-board fromslipping forward on table while under pressure.

The roller before mentioned, besides assisting in reversal ot' iron, maysupport the same while in operation after passing behind and so that itwill not then dip below table, and may also serve, when properlycovered, to clean saidiron by rubbing or rolling against it while inpassage. The object ofthe side boards upon table is to prevent thesleeves of shirt fromv coming in contact with lubricated parts,wherebythe same might he soiled.

Any suitable appliances, in connection with the driving-belt aforesaid,may be employed to regulate the power transmitted to machine forstarting or stopping and for varying the speed of same; also, a suitablebrake may be attached to rear of frame, engaging with crankwheels,connected so as to be conveniently operated from forward end of saidframe, and said crank-wheels may be provided with balance-weights, ifthese devices are found necessary to insure the checking ot' iron forany reason during its reciprocations.

I do notv claim broadly in ironing-machines either reciprocating orreversible irons, as I am aware that the same have been heretofore used.Neither do I make any claim to the heating of iron by combustion of gasand air therein, nor tothe method of introducing the same; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an ironing-machine, the combination of an iron, the main portionor body ot' which is cylindrical, with two independently-operatingwedge-shaped cam-like points projecting therefrom, each having one ormore polishingsurfaces, mechanisms, substantially as described, forbringing each end alternately into use and heating them when not in use,trunnions upon which said iron is hung, sliding boxes carrying saidtrunnions, ways for said slides, and mechanisms, substantially asdescribed, for longitudinally and transversely reciprocating, reversing,elevating or depressing, and regulating the stroke ot' said iron whendesired, for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the switch-plate Q, secured to ways E, havinggrooves q and adjust-able frog q, the spur-Wheel c upon spindle C,engaging said grooves and frog, and the guides D D', with the iron B,having trans` verse movement between said guides, for the purposespecified.

3. The combination of iron B, having camlike projecting points b", withthe roller X, in connection with arms w', rock-shaft V, togglelevers W,cross-shaft S, and treadle It, for purpose specified.

4. In combination with the ironing-points b, the independentpolishing-surfaces, provided with pins and springs, constructed,arranged, and operating substantially as set forth.

5. The combination ofthe spring reversing lever P, horizontal rod O, andlinks o o, hung upon stationary standards attached to ways E', one ofwhich links rotates upon a fixed pivot, the other being keyed to arotarypivot, to

which said lever P is also secured, the elbowed lever N, hung uponsleeve M, and hinged to the slide vtraveling upon said rod, the saidsleeve and ratchet-wheel m thereon, and the pawls 11L, engaging saidratchet-wheel, with the feathered spindle C and iron B, for objects setforth.

6. In combination with a reversible iron, the automatic device forregulating the combustion of gas and air within and alternately heatingdifferent portions ot' same, consisting ot' stationary main pipes orstem e', rotary branches g', and swivel-joint g, with valvethereinsubstantially as shown.

7. The combination of the table T with the links Y, toggle-levers W,rock-shaft V, crossshat't S, and treadle B, the cross-shaft and linksbeing hung to frame-work, all operating in elevation and depression ot'said table, the saine having inclining and receding tendency duringlatter movement, as hereinbeforo dcscribed.

8. In combination with iron B, having centrallyprojecting wedge-shapedpoints, the table with recess or socket correspondingly located intransverse head-rail, and shirt-board provided with steady-pin ttted toenter said socket, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony' whereof I affix my signature inv presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM L. HALL.

Witnesses:

P. H. NEHER, F. W. LoBDELL.

ICO

IIO

Ils

